I’m so glad I decided to read this book. After starting and failing to love so many popular fantasy authors, I finally found it: the series I’ve been yearning for—one that draws me into the characters so that I truly and deeply care about them. Some may argue that this novel is slow and not what most would call “action packed,” but battles and deaths mean nothing to me if first I’m not attached to the characters. From the first pages I fell in love with Fitz and his plight as the bastard son who brought his father’s shame to light. Fitz’s deep connection to animals speaks to my heart as does his courage. 

This novel makes you feel as if you are growing up with Fitz. It doesn’t rush you from disjointed action to action, but immerses you into a world through beautiful prose. It doesn’t feel like laborious description, but simply looking around you through Fitz’s eyes. Never once did I feel restless, bored, or lose interest, nor did I feel the book was long. I was surprised when it ended, but I think the trilogy is really going to be more like one story and this book was only the beginning. Such a thing might have annoyed me in another book, except reading this never felt like a chore but rather an experience. 

Favorite quote: 
“Too late to apologize. I have already forgiven you.”